CHOCOLATE TREE Sheridan, Wyo. "It’s not good for the figure, so I don’t go often," writes Gay Hale of Sheridan. "But the Chocolate Tree is a great place to shop on a special occasion—or on a bad day or whenever. Their chocolate makes a great gift anytime." (307) 672-6160.

DAGOBA ORGANIC CHOCOLATE Ashland, Ore. "Locally made and world-renowned," says Victoria Stewart of Ashland. "A family runs the company with a small crew, and they travel to South America to select sustainably grown cacao beans. Their chocolate is organic and kosher. It’s great with local wines." (800) 393-6075, www.dagobachocolate.com[6].

FOG CITY NEWS San Francisco. "A wondrous array," writes Virginia Less of Petaluma, Calif. "Proprietor Adam Smith seeks out unusual and interesting bars of chocolate from around the globe. Don’t miss the ‘chocolate passport’: Buy 10 different bars, get one free." (415) 543-7400, www.fogcitynews.com[10].

HAZELNUT HILL OUTSIDE Corvallis, Ore. "They grow hazelnuts and make chocolates here," writes Jo Tarver of Corvallis. "And if you arrive on a day when they’re coating the nuts, you can watch—and sample! Check out their nutcracker display during the holidays." (541) 754-5657, www.hazelnuthill.com[11].

LA DOLCE V FINE CHOCOLATES Sebastopol, Calif. "Their sweets are as delectable to behold as they are to consume," says Janet Thomas of Santa Rosa, Calif. "But the creamy French hot chocolate is a showstopper." (707) 829-2178, www.ladolcev.com[12].

MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE CO. Portland. "Whenever I want a special treat, I head over to one of the Moonstruck Chocolate cafés," writes Sheri Vogt of Portland. "Among my favorites is the dark chocolate from a valley in Venezuela’s Ocumare region infused with a gentle glow of chile pepper." (800) 557-6666, www.moonstruckchocolate.com[13].

MOUSE'S CHOCOLATES Ouray, Colo. "Make going to Mouse’s the end of a perfect day," says Kathryn Swartz of Paonia, Colo. "First hit the local hot springs, then do a little shopping on the main street of this Swiss-style mountain town, and finally head over to Mouse’s for one of chocolatier Mouse Durgin’s handmade chocolates. Her scrap cookies, which she makes with chocolate scraps instead of regular chips, are a must." (877) 793-7447, www.mouseschocolates.com[14].

RED'S WINES & BLUES Kalispell, Mont. "The best chocolate cake!" says Mona Charles of Kalispell. "It’s what you imagine your grandmother used to bake. The cake is dense and moist, with icing like fudge. I always plan to split a piece—until we order another." (406) 755-9463.